intro

Base Group

College Teaching and Cooperative Learning

Almost every significant breakthrough in the field of scientific endeavor was first a break with traditional thinking in old paradigm, for instance,

Ptolemy, the great Egyptian astronomer, suggested that the earth was the center of the universe. But Copernicus created a paradigm shift (with a great deal of resistance and persecution) by placing the sun at the center of the universe. Suddenly, everything took on a different perspective.

In college teaching, a paradigm shift is taking place. Minor modifications in the current teaching practices will not solve the current problems with college instruction. Teaching sucess in today's world requires a new approach to instruction.

CATEGORIES	*OLD PARADIGM*	*NEW PARADIGM*
Knowledge	Transferred From Faculty To Students	Jointly Constructed By Students And Faculty
Students	Passive Vessel To Be Filled By Faculty's Knowledge	Active Constructor, Discoverer, Transformer Of Own Knowledge
Faculty Purpose	Classify And Sort Students	Develop Student's Competencies And Talents
Relationships	Impersonal Relationships Among Students And Between Faculty And Students	Personal Transaction Among Students And Between Faculty And Students
Context	Compettitive/Individualistic	Cooperative Learning In Classroom And Cooperative Teams Among Faculty
Assumption	Any Expert Can Teach	Teaching is Complex And Requires Considerable Training

In order to structure a learning environment in college life, a social support group needs to be developed to foster more efficient and effective learning. A social support group needs to be established called a Base Group

Base Groups are long term, heterogenous cooperative learning groups. Characteristically they have stable group member commitment that provides help, support,and encouragement to each other to succeed in academic endeavors.
Base Groups usually last for one semster; However, if possible, a base group should last from the freshman year until each member of the group has graduated.
Base Groups should meet regularly and help each other in academic areas along with personal areas as well.